Astronaut Scott Carpenter celebrated at funeral

BOULDER, Colo. — Astronaut Scott Carpenter had an adventuresome spirit and was driven to know everything he could about the universe, fellow space pioneer John Glenn said Saturday at Carpenter’s funeral.

“Scott’s curiosity knew no bounds,” said Glenn, who preceded Carpenter into space 51 years ago as a member of the Mercury 7 program, America’s first corps of astronauts.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, who also spoke at the funeral, called Carpenter a tireless explorer and an unforgettable character. Bolden said he was just a teenager when Carpenter orbited the Earth and remembered “being tremendously moved by his bravery.”

“Today, we bear witness as he soars once more into the heavens on his journey to eternity,” Bolden said.

Carpenter’s flag-draped casket was carried into the church by six Navy officers as a bell tolled from the church tower. After the service, four F-18 fighter jets flew the missing-man formation over the church against a cloudless autumn sky.

Carpenter is survived by his wife, Patty Carpenter, and six children. Two other children died before him.

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